Dealing with Road Rage as a Learner Driver

Learning to drive isn’t exactly a walk (or drive) in the park. Being on the receiving end of road rage as a learner driver is intimidating and, in some cases, inevitable.

You may run into problematic drivers with a short temper not only whilst you’re learning to drive, but also once you’ve passed.

Unfortunately, you’re always going to have people who aren’t prepared to have patience behind the wheel. That's why learning to deal with road rage as a learner driver is key.

Why do people get angry with learner drivers?

We aren’t going to sugar-coat it, it’s likely you’ll experience some frustrated road users purely because of your L-plates. The reality is, as a less experienced driver, you will make mistakes. And that’s completely fine! It’s perfectly normal for learner drivers to make errors, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to learn from them. Unfortunately, some road users have less patience than others.

Here’s what you can do if you are find yourself being subjected to road rage.

Don’t take it personally

The first thing to remember is not to take any road rage you receive personally. These are people you don’t know and probably won’t ever encounter again. Unless them confronting you is due to a safety issue, they’re just foolishly venting their frustrations out on you.

Don’t retaliate

The worst thing to do when you’re on the receiving end of road rage is to allow yourself to get annoyed enough to retaliate. There’s nothing you could say or do to make the situation better, so just take it on the chin, move on and try not to let it affect your driving.

Relax

Dealing with confrontation is never nice but taking the time to relax yourself is vital. Take a deep breath or pull over and take a break if you can feel yourself getting worked up. The worst thing you can do is get so stressed that it affects your driving.

Dealing with road rage as a learner driver isn’t pleasant, but by taking the necessary steps means you can remain calm and safe behind the wheel. One of the best people to look for advice will be your driving instructor. They’re professionals that have had to deal with more road rage than anyone! They’ll know how to coach you through it. Something else to remember is that it works both ways.

If someone is tailgating you or has cut you up on the road, don’t allow yourself to get so frustrated that it compromises your safety. For more tips on staying safe on the roads, or for regular driving test tips, follow us on social media: InsureLearnerDriver Facebook | InsureLearnerDriver Twitter | InsureLearnerDriver Instagram